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Biomedical subjects

I P Wells

Publications and source records attributed to I P Wells.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Multidetector row CT angiography of the lower limb arteries: a prospective comparison of volume-rendered techniques and intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography.

AIM: To assess whether multi-detector CT angiograms (MDCTA) of the lower limb arteries, compared with conventional digital subtraction angiograms (DSA), could replace invasive arteriography in patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a prospective comparative analysis of MDCTA and DSA in 44 patients, MDCTA was analyzed using volume-rendered images acquired at a workstation and viewed in tandem with the original axial data. Designated arterial segments were graded according to their degree of stenosis. RESULTS: We found agreement for the degree of stenosis in 88.8% and 85.4% of 1024 segments analysed for two observers. The sensitivity for treatable lesions (>50% stenosis) was 79.1% and 72% with a specificity of 93.3% and 92.6%. DSA failed to visualize 7.3% of segments that were visible with MDCTA. These segments were exclusively downstream to long segment occlusions. CONCLUSION: MDCTA using 4-slice machines is insensitive to detecting significant arterial stenoses in the lower limb arteries. MDCTA is superior to DSA in its visualization of arterial territories downstream to significant occlusive disease.

Aged↗

Papillary necrosis causing hydronephrosis in renal allograft treated by percutaneous retrieval of sloughed papilla.

Obstructive uropathy is the second most common urological complication in a transplanted kidney. The usual causes of obstruction are ureteral stenosis and calculi. Papillary necrosis as a cause of obstruction in a transplant kidney is extremely rare with only one prior report published. Moreover, percutaneous removal of sloughed papilla in a transplant kidney has not previously been reported. We report an unusual case of a sloughed papilla causing hydronephrosis of a transplant kidney and its successful percutaneous removal. The recognition of renal papillary necrosis is important, not only because it can be a sign of acute rejection but also it because it can lead to obstruction, infection and potentially the loss of the transplant as exemplified by our case. Rapid diagnosis and meticulous retrieval technique are the crucial factors in minimizing the complications due to obstruction of a transplanted kidney by sloughed papilla.

Female↗

Benign external compression of the inferior vena cava associated with thrombus formation.

Malignant and benign causes of inferior vena cava (IVC) occlusion and compression are recognized. Cases of benign IVC compression with associated distal thrombus formation have not however been frequently described. We present two cases of benign external IVC compression associated with distal thrombus formation; one resulting from a giant, benign, hepatic cyst, and another due to pelviureteric junction obstruction, resulting in massive hydronephrosis.

Aged↗

Ten years' experience of retrograde balloon dilatation of pelvi-ureteric junction obstruction.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the long-term success of retrograde balloon dilatation (RBD) of pelvi-ureteric junction obstruction (PUJO). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The records of 58 adult patients (mean age 48 years, range 18-94) who had RBD between 1990 and 2001 were reviewed retrospectively. All symptomatic patients were included and assessed by dynamic renography. Success was judged as a symptomatic and/or functional improvement. Recurrence of symptoms was recorded and any evidence of deterioration of function despite improved symptoms. Complications were also recorded. RESULTS: In all, 44 (76%) patients were asymptomatic after RBD. There was no relationship between symptomatic change and renographic improvement; some patients who were rendered pain-free had either no improvement or even deterioration in their split renal function. Conversely, some patients who had a demonstrable improvement in their renal function continued to be symptomatic. However, a long-term follow-up (mean 6.1 years) of nine patients who were symptomatically improved showed good maintenance of split renal function. CONCLUSION: RBD is an effective treatment for PUJO and its success is maintained in the long term.

Adolescent↗

The effect of reporting speed on plain film reporting errors.

AIM: To determine whether reporting plain films at faster rates lead to a deterioration in accuracy. METHODS: Fourteen consultant radiologists were asked to report a total of 90 radiographs in three sets of 30. They reported the first set at the rate they would report normally and the subsequent two sets in two thirds and one half of the original time. The 90 radiographs were the same for each radiologist, however, the order was randomly generated for each. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in overall accuracy for each of the three film sets (p=0.74). Additionally no significant difference in the total number of false-negatives for each film set was detected (p=0.14). However, there was a significant decrease in the number of false-positive reports when the radiologists were asked to report at higher speeds (p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: When reporting accident and emergency radiographs increasing reporting speed has no overall effect upon accuracy, however, it does lead to less false-positive reports.

Clinical Competence↗

Five cases of sarcoidosis in one family: a new immunological link?

We report a family in which five members have been affected with sarcoidosis. The radiological findings of all cases are presented, together with HLA typing, T cell subset and cytokine analysis in four cases. A new HLA association in the presentation of sarcoidosis is suggested.

Adult↗

Intra-abdominal bleeding caused by spontaneous rupture of an accessory spleen: the CT findings.

Accessory spleens are common. Their clinical importance lies in the need to include their removal when performing a splenectomy for primary haematological disorders, or as the source of 'preservable' splenic tissue in cases of ruptured primary spleen. Rupture of a normal spleen almost always occurs because of trauma, spontaneous rupture is rare. In pathological spleens, however, 'spontaneous' rupture is more widely reported, although it is argued that minor trauma is often still responsible in these cases. We report a case of spontaneous isolated rupture of a histologically normal accessory spleen and show the CT findings.

Female↗

Long-term follow-up of the antheor inferior vena cava filter.

The first long-term follow-up of the use of the Antheor inferior vena cava (IVC) filter is presented. Between December 1994 and December 1996, 20 Antheor IVC filters were inserted. Seven patients subsequently died and of the 13 patients remaining alive, 11 were available for long-term follow-up. One death was due to migration of the filter to the main pulmonary artery 6 weeks after insertion and because of this case, and other similar reports, the filter has now been withdrawn from clinical use. Of the 11 filters assessed at follow-up, three were fractured. One filter contained thrombus and one IVC was occluded. Our experience highlights the problem of central migration, but also shows a high incidence of filter fracture which has not previously been described with this design of filter.

Adult↗

Variation in angiographic practice and technique amongst interventional radiologists in the UK: assessment by postal questionnaire.

In order to ascertain the national variation in practice and workloads amongst interventional radiologists a questionnaire was sent to all members of the British Society of Interventional Radiologists of three or more years standing. The questionnaire was designed to assess changes in workload and angiographic practice amongst members at the various institutions. Results indicate that, over the last five years, there has been a dramatic increase in both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed, with an overall doubling of workload. There are, however, wide variations in angiographic practice and technique and referral pattern.

Ambulatory Care↗